Tuesday, 27 September 2011

Magherafelt Council Chairperson hosts SIPTU campaigners

The Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council,
Ian Milne (Sinn Féin) has today hosted a reception to mark the centenary of the
arrival of James Connolly in Belfast to organise the Trade Union movement.

Speaking at the event, SIPTU Organiser Martin O'Rourke said,

"SIPTU were delighted to attend the event to celebrate 100 years of Trade
Union activism, building upon the strong foundation laid by Connolly. Many thousands
of activists have worked tirelessly since then to ensure that working people receive
a fair return on their labour; notwithstanding this fact the challenges which
faced working people 100 years ago are equally relevant today. That is why
SIPTU is engaged in an organising campaign for the community sector which has faced
and is facing disproportionate cuts. It is neither right, fair nor acceptable
that people who protect the most disadvantaged in our society should have their
work impeded in this way."

"The Trade Union movement has been one of the main forces that continues
to work towards improving people's lives and ensuring that public services are
available, while helping shape a fairer society for all.

"I take this opportunity to commend SIPTU as a campaigning and organising
Trade Union committed to fairness at work and justice in society. SIPTU's
campaign to enlist the support of all key stakeholders to deliver on the future
survival of the Community and Voluntary sector is very important in the fight
to maintain vital frontline services to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our
society.

"It is estimated that there are 30,000 people employed within the Community
and Voluntary sector with a volunteer base close to 100,000. Now is the time to
ensure that people are put at the heart of our economy and that our economy
serves society, not the other way round.

"We need to ensure the protection of wages and income and fight against
the race-to-the-bottom to improve 'competitiveness'. Workers are the heart of
an economy and should be treated as such, not just as a means to a profit. We
must ensure that everyone has absolute entitlement to join a trade union and
collectively bargain.

"This evening's reception is a celebration of organised labour and a tribute
to the thousands of activists who over the last hundred years have worked
tirelessly to improve terms and conditions for working people."